FAQ

Questions?

We’ve compiled a list of frequently asked questions for your convenience. If you have other questions, feel free to email us www.deepakdasphotography@gmail.com.

1. WHY CHOOSE THE DEEPAK DAS AS YOUR WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER?

It’s really important for us to know “why” behind your decisions. Maybe you found us on your own and started imagining us capturing your big day.

It’s a past bride, friend or wedding coordinator shortlisted us as someone you should check out, our answer might surprise you. We believe in quality, honesty and commitment.

We bring the expertise and knowledge to every new wedding commission we take.

It’s not enough to be good at what you do. Being likable and loving others is a different expertise.

We believe our cameras are simply our way to love others and help influence their lives. That means we have fun together while we capture your important memories.

We also believe that hearts matter. On one level a wedding a love story. Your love story. On another level, it’s about how we view how we can best serve you.

Photography for us is more than a passion. It’s our lifelong calling.

So why do we do it? Wedding photography is about connections and creatively exploring those narratives is interesting to us. We love the expressions and emotions found in a wedding and we want to document these moments for you so that you can cherish these in your whole life.

How do we do it? We showcase our talents through our wedding photography and across the range of services and products we carry.

Who are we? We are wedding photographers, and we’d love to shoot your wedding.

2. ARE WE AVAILABLE?

Why do we start with availability you might ask? Every invitation begins with a date. First, contact usby email or by phone. When you email us, our back-end system automatically cross-checks the date you’ve mentioned and let us know how to best respond.

If we are not available, we are happy to assist you any way we can by providing referrals.

Our industry relationships mean we can easily provide you with a variety of recommendations appropriate for your desired style, coverage, and budget. Even though we can’t shoot your wedding, we still want to take of you and may know someone who can.

We have learned that kindness never goes out of style.

When we have availability, your next step will be to make an appointment to meet with us, or you can skip directly to booking. We host our meeting in our home based studio in Indore, MP with by phone or via Skype for any travelling and busy professional. During our time together, we will listen to your vision for your special day and showcase the range of services and product options we have available for your consideration.

BEFORE YOUR WEDDING:

3. How do we describe your Style?

We should say it’s constantly evolving because we continue to become more refined. As creative artisans, we are always learning and growing. How do you see us? Do you see beautiful moments, intentional storytelling? Can you picture yourself in one of our photos?

4. Do we have back-up equipment?

Of course, we do. Not only are we professionals, but because we have collected an ever-growing arsenal of equipment. On your wedding day, we carry redundancy across the full spectrum, from our camera cases to lighting and all foreseeable contingencies.

5. What is the most valuable thing we give you?

This question most people wouldn’t think to ask outside of products or services in a package. Our answer may surprise you. Our biggest gift to you is that we give you our HEARTS.

There are a lot of stories we can tell you, and perhaps one day we will write a book about those unique moments when the greatest act we could do was to put our cameras down and love someone. People often know how to react when something doesn’t go as planned or you experience the natural emotions of your wedding day.Our empathy and love not only allow us to capture intimate photos; they also let us make your special day go a lot smoother.

6. When should we book you?

If the first thing you did was reach out to secure your wedding venue, you might have been surprised how far in advance our bookings can be. Don’t wait.

Our approach is very low pressure. We don’t use specials or tricks to entice you into booking with us today or right now. We want you to feel a sense of peace that we are the right fit for you.

That’s why the most you will ever hear from us on the topic is this discussion.

We like you. We know you have 30 major decisions to make about your wedding and we’d like to take this one off your list. We’d love to be your wedding photographers, and we hope you will love to have us shoot your wedding.

HERE ARE THE TYPICAL SCENARIOS FOR BRIDES WHO ARE BOOKING A WEDDING.

Greater than 6 months: This bride is thoughtfully planning her wedding, getting all of the vendors that she wants for her team and the date of her choice.

The wedding of her dreams may be a bit more than she can budget for on a shorter timeline.

6 Months: The average amount of time couples most spend planning their wedding.

At this point, the greater than a year crowd has already secured the best wedding venues and vendors in the area. While not in a panic, the bride or her mother will typically make remarks that they were surprised to learn that some people booked the ceremony site and reception venue before they even became engaged.

Greater than 4 months: With a bit more nervousness in their voices, they no longer start with how much do you cost? They ask the next best first question which is, are you available?

Ordinarily on the other end of this conversation is an anxious bride or mother of the bride who is trying to help her daughter out while she is at work. We do our best to assist even when people can’t afford us, or we don’t have availability. We want to help eliminate your stress.

3 Months: This group wakes up to look at their calendar and sees the wedding only 3 months away. It’s time to start checking lots of things off their list!

They have already begun to realize that something is going to have to give by waiting this long to get started. Maybe that’s okay with them. It’s no right or wrong choice and nothing to worry about if you are not that particular.

For as many brides who have dreamed of every detail of their wedding day for years, there are just as many who aren’t picky at all. Just give them the man of their dreams.

Less than 2 months: This is where wealth, influence, and connections come in.

This type typically throws money at their problems and expects all things to sort out quickly and correctly. We’ve shot platinum affairs where the photographers were booked two weeks before the wedding.

Last minute weddings are always the hardest wedding plan to accept bookings for because of our personal commitments and other plans that may need to flex a bit to make it happen. We carefully consider each one of these requests, but individually.

7. My coordinator says they are taking care of everything, so isn’t that enough?

We love wedding planners, as they are a valuable part of the preparation and execution of your wedding. Their general approach is to guide you by narrowing down your choices, so you don’t feel overwhelmed. Typically, they simplify tasks by providing you 3 choices to look at, but when/if you need more, they give you more.

It may seem easiest to have planners “take things off your plate” and do the work for you. It’s natural to believe that’s what you’re hiring them for after all.

While that choice can be great if you have them picking up the Tuxes or dropping your dress off for preservation, it’s often a mistake when you leave it just up to them to book your wedding photographer.

After your event is over, there are very few people you will continue to work with afterward. Your wedding photographers are one of them.

Many brides get close to their wedding or return from their honeymoon and suddenly realize they have no idea what they booked. You can contact us 24/7 to get access to your agreement, payment history, and wedding details. When someone else is taking care of things for you, often brides have no idea that they have convenient access to these answers.

Did you book us for pre-wedding, mehndi ceremony, or an early start time?

When exactly does your coverage begin, and how long does it last?

Did you include an album at booking or is it a separate purchase?

How long does post-production take before you see your wedding photos?

Of course, we are only a phone call away and are more than happy to answer any of these or other questions.

You wouldn’t leave it up to someone else to pick your wedding dress.

At the very least, personally, direct the booking process by becoming familiar with the available commissions, creating your collection, and then transferring the work to someone who can do the legwork for you.

8. What are the payment terms?

50% is due at the signing of the agreement, which reserves the date. The remaining balance due 15 days before the event.

Any additional coverage added before the wedding day is due on the day of the event.

Our billing system can accept Cash and Checks. While Cash can be accepted all in-state goods and services are subject to GST.

9. Do you negotiate?

No, the pricing we offer is our sharpest pencil. We said it before, but it bears repeating again. What will we “give” you? We give you our HEARTS.

We have considerable experience with the nuances of different cultures and types of weddings and well know the kind of effort it will take to do the job exceptionally well.

If you are the type of person who loves wheeling and dealing, your wedding probably is one we will choose not to accept. The foundation of any relationship we believe is TRUST.

We are not trying to be the biggest, cheapest, or most affordable Indian wedding photographers. We’d rather keep our heads down, work hard, push to be our best and your best.

10. Who pays the travel & lodging for a destination wedding?

Destinations weddings are unique. Some couples slip away for a Mexico beach wedding while others choose the old world charm of a European villa. Since no two event locations are the same, it’s harder to generalize the final cost of bringing your wedding photographers with you vs. hiring someone local.

You should have a good idea of a ballpark amount already as you’ve already likely made your personal travel arrangements. Of course, as you can imagine, the travel and lodging necessary for us to perform our duties and serve your family at a destination is an additional expense you will need to include in your budget.

While we reserve the right to make our own arrangements to accommodate our scheduling needs, we are very open to looking into creative ways to minimize your expenses. Perhaps you have airline miles or reward points that can be used to book our flights or have a relationship with a friendly travel agent.

During your wedding preparation, we are always advocates and good stewards of your finances. That said, don’t end up regretting your choice to save a few bucks on travel to the one event you will spend the rest of your life reliving in pictures. The funny thing about photography is that it does appreciate in value over time.

Bringing us to your destination wedding does not have to be difficult.

Our passports are updated, while there, we can look for an opportunity to do a casual couple shoot with just the two of you.

11. Who is the client?

Legally, whoever signs the agreement and pays the retainer is our client. That’s why we encourage couples’ involvement in the decision-making process. When you let someone else handle your affairs, there are tradeoffs to having that convenience.

12. Can we make changes after booking?

Collections naturally accumulate more over time, naturally don’t they? We’ve observed that most of our clients have discretionary income. What they don’t like is manipulation or surprises.

We don’t like surprises either when we are consumers.

That’s why we make all of our pricing information available to you right from the start. The minimum to reserve a date is a wedding commission. You can add more to your collection when booking, before, or even after your wedding.

A typical scenario is adding Mehndi or Sangeet coverage the week of the wedding. How are you supposed to know the number of hours you will want to have a photographer available until you figure out all your plans?

What’s useful to learn ahead of time is pricing so that you can plan ahead.

Other typical scenarios are adding an extra save the date, an engagement shoot, a bridal portrait session before the wedding, or ordering prints, wedding albums and framing after the wedding.

WEDDING DAY

13. What do you wear to a pre-wedding or wedding?

We can certainly help you to get the most appropriate wedding dress for the photoshoot and/or wedding. Just let us know!!

14. Our family friend wants to take some pictures. Can they?

Of course, they can. We ask that you help us if they happen not to be respectful or have become distracting. The reason we ask for your assistance is to handle such a situation gracefully. Generally speaking, most guests are just eager to grab something quick for themselves and will quickly recognize that you hired us for good reason.

15. Can we provide a shot list or an inspiration board?

Indeed, you can provide us a shot list. Before you spend a lot of time, however, refer to the standard shots we take. Often, the best lists are items we would not know to get unless you told us.

Your special out-of-town friend who isn’t a bridesmaid and you haven’t seen in years.

We have learned through experience that a shot list is simply your way of sharing what’s personally important to you. We also remind you that a wedding is a live event.

Choosing the 100 best wedding photos on Pinterest doesn’t mean that on your wedding day, the conditions will be right or favorable to duplicate everything you fancy online. When you supply us a shot list, we estimate how much time to set aside to accomplish your list. That assessment will help you make your final decisions.

We also want to leave time we can dedicate to creating new and original concepts just for you. Someday another bride may be incorporating your signature pieces in her own inspiration boards.

Often people who don’t know what to do in life imitate or emulate others. It is said, and we believe that comparison robs joy. What’s special are people who create things that are new, novel and different.

It’s our privilege to put our gifts and talents in service to creating for you!!

16. If some things are running behind, can we add more time?

Not only do we work with you ahead of time to predict the unexpected, but we are also always available for you on the day of the event to meet your needs. We don’t leave without your knowing it ahead of time and agreeing to our departure.

If the events of the day are running late, we will discretely touch base with you or your appointed representative. Any overtime agreed upon will be billed after the event.

PLANNING FOR UNFORESEEN

17. What if you get sick, hurt, or die?

Being a professional means being prepared for contingencies. Thanks to our incredible network of industry relationships, should anything ever happen to any of us between when you book and your wedding, they have our back. We help others and know our friends will do it for us.

The most difficult adjustment is not finding truly excellent talent to take our place. It’s also overcoming the general disappointment of something not going according to plan.

Our relationships within our industry mean you can have full confidence that someone will make sure to cover all our scheduled dates.

Depending on timing and availability, we’d consult with you and offer you our suggestions. If we are not capable of fulfilling all or part of our agreement, we would be the one’s breaching the contract, thus making possible a proportional return of all monies paid minus any services and expenses successfully rendered.

If something happened at the last minute, such as an accident driving to start your preparation coverage, we’d reach out to our local photography community and immediately ask for help.

The priority in an emergency situation such as this kind is to make sure the impact to your wedding day is minimal. The last thing you need to be worrying about is finding a photographer at the last minute while you’re getting your hair and make-up done.

Afterward, we’d work out all the details with you regarding the appropriate next steps to take. These are cases in the extreme. We want you to know that we’ve thought them through carefully and precisely.

18. How do we protect your digital files?

From the moment we capture your photos, we are already thinking of the best practices for protecting them. Every reasonable step available to us is employed. Our cameras now shoot with two cards, both recording the same picture at the same time so that we already have in-camera backups. That means that if one card malfunctions, there is the second card there as insurance.

After your wedding, we make multiple backup copies before we go to bed.

The originals are left on the camera’s card while we make two more copies on our production computer and separate backup system. Our editor works off-site, so the copy they receive is a fourth external back-up. We maintain a level of redundancy until we receive your finished JPEGs from our editing Team.

We then upload your wedding to our proofing system. It has its system of backups. Three months after your wedding, your photos are released for a digital download. We also encourage that you make multiple copies and your own backups.

We also remind all our clients that storing a copy in a safety deposit box is a reasonable protection against disaster.

Once we fulfill the terms of our agreement, the responsibility for long-term protection your wedding photos transfers to you. While we don’t explicitly set out to delete older weddings, we do rotate them off our backup system and out of production typically after 6 months.

19. What if you need to change your wedding date?

Most of the time, there is only a single hitch on your day when the two of you exchange your vows. Of course, we’ve seen over the years that unusual can happen along the way for whatever reasons.

We strive to be as accommodating as possible for the boutique studio that we are.

If your newly scheduled wedding date is within 6 months of your originally booked date, then we will accommodate the request based on our own availability. Whoever signed the agreement with us should also check our available schedule before setting the new date to maintain the original agreement. As they are the ones we initially entered into the arrangement with, they are the only ones authorized to make changes.

This common-sense approach we believe prevents outside people from getting involved in your affairs. People are like brownies, warm and chocolaty with a few nuts. So this protects you against an unfortunate event.

We don’t charge an additional fee for swapping a date within 6 months as we absorb any loss of employment opportunities as an act of good faith.

A postponement of greater than 6 months or a cancelation altogether is handled according to terms outlined in the written agreement.

AFTER THE WEDDING

20. How long after our wedding before we see our photos?

We have a fantastic Editing Team. With all of the talented people we know, there is only one who holds the same high standards we do. They will take tender loving care of the post-production of your wedding photos.

If you choose Same-day-Edit option, then you will see some of your most beautiful photographs in your wedding reception night.

Typically, we receive the finished JPEGs back about 10 business days after your wedding. Our agreement outlines you will see them within 15days days or before.

As soon as we receive the photos back, we start creating your online gallery. We’ve found that numbering the photos and organizing them makes it easier for you to do what you want to do with your photos later.

Once the gallery upload finishes, our viewing system automatically e-mails you to start reliving your memories. Your gallery allows you to view, label, and favorite your photos, mark any you may want private for your eyes only as well as order prints, digital downloads, canvases, and paintings. Your friends and family can easily view and order too.

21. Can we specify all color or black and white?

We guide our editor about what to make Black and White and what to show in Color. 99.9% of the time couples do understand why we made the decision that we did.

For that .1% of scenarios, of course, we can certainly show you the alternative.

If you have a strong preference one way or another, just let us know ahead of time. We are happy to listen to your ideas and your preferences.

You already know what you like, and we are here to serve.

22. What is retouching?

Our standard post-production creates the penultimate version of your photos. Retouching is the act of changing what is in the picture like smoothing skin and fabric, removing stray hairs, slenderizing arms, hips, and legs or removing distractions like people, exit signs, or cell phones.

Standard prints that are ordered using our online gallery do not include retouching. Retouched Prints, Canvases, and Painting do include retouching, and that process is reflected in the higher price.

All of our finished products, such as prints and wedding albums, include the cost of retouching in their pricing.

Prints thrown in a purse and then shared at the dinner table serve a different need than a signature portrait hung on your wall will. By offering a range of standard and retouch work, we give you good options to choose from for what’s best for your personal needs and budget.

23. Can we get the RAW files & the photos that didn’t make the cut?

We do not offer RAW files or outtakes. Much like your baker doesn’t provide the extra flour he used when making your cake or the frosting that’s left over after decorating it.

24. What is an online gallery?

Our online gallery is a useful and convenient way for you to view and share your wedding photos.

Public galleries are accessible via our website, but Private galleries are not. To access a Private gallery, just use the custom URL we e-mail directly to you.

We take your privacy very seriously.

ALBUMS, PRINTS, FRAMING & SLIDESHOWS

25. How long does it take to get my prints?

Product creation times vary, however, print orders will generally be completed within 4 weeks after the product order is submitted.

Similar to the post-production process, if you require rush processing, additional fees for rush shipping may also apply.

26. How long does it take to get my album?

As with our other products, production times vary. However, you can typically expect to receive your album 4 weeks after placing the order. The process prior to placing the order varies in duration depending on how quickly you respond to the instructions for the album design as well as the amount of changes you request after the initial designs. Some brides complete this within a month or two; others take over a year.

Similar to the post-production process, if you require rush processing, a fee will be charged. Additional fees for rush shipping may also apply.

27. Can I add more pages and images to my album?

Each additional page can be added for additional cost and includes the design time/revisions.